HISTORY

Myanmar, formerly Burma, is a multiracial, multicultural and multireligious country of Southeast Asian with its capital city Nay Pyi Taw which was constructed in 2004 on an isolated site near the city of Pyinmana, some 320 km north of the then capital city of Yangon.

Myanmar has a land area of 676, 577 sq. km. It is bound by Thailand and Laos in the east, India and Bangladesh in the west, China in the north and north- east and the Andaman Sea in the south. Of cially, there are 135 ethnic groups living in the country, of which the eight major groups are Burman, Kayin, Kachin, Kayah, Chin, Mon, Rakhine and Shan. Among these groups, the Burmans are the most numerous and dominant with approximately 68% of the population of the country, and they are mainly Buddhists.

“As early as 1287, evidence of Christianity was found in the form of frescos containing crosses and Latin and Greek words in some places in Pagan, which was once a ourishing kingdom in what is Myanmar today. After the discovery of the route to India by Vasco da Gama in 1497, Portuguese missionaries set out for the Far East as chaplains to Portuguese soldiers, sailors and settlers...The rst proclamation of the Gospel in the land, dates back to 1511, thanks to the work of the Dominicans, Franciscans and Jesuits, who helped establish the rst Christian communities.”

As of 2002, 89% of the population of the country is believed to adhere to Buddhism and 5.6% practice Christianity. Christians in Myanmar are a minority and they are mainly composed of ethnic minorities, such as Kachin, Chin, Kayin, Kayah, Lishus and Lahus with a limited number of Burmans.

ST. DOMINIC’S HOUSE Yangon

History

St. Dominic’s House in Yangon was officially opened on the feast day of St. Dominic, August 8, 2011. His Excellency Charles Bo, SDB (now Cardinal) personally came to inaugurate the house and announced the presence of the Order in the golden land of Myanmar. The house, however, was bought in 2010 and on the 7th of October of that same year the first community of friars was established there with Fr Fernando Muñoz, O.P. being its first superior. From 2011 onwards, the house becomes the center for the aspirants who want to join the Order.

Mission

At the present, the main ministry of the community is pastoral work and formation. The brothers work in the parish of St. Gemma Galgani, Shwepyithar, which is entrusted to the Dominicans by the Archdiocese of Yangon. Since this house is also the house of formation of aspirants, the brothers dedicate their time to the future candidates for the Order. Aside from these, conducting retreats to different religious and diocesan communities is also an important part of our ministry and service to the local Church.

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ST. THOMAS AQUINAS’ HOUSE Loikaw

History

The land on which St. Thomas Aquinas’ House stands was bought in 2008. The foundation of the House was laid in 2009 and the house was completed in 2012. On 23 November 2013, the house was inaugurated with the approval and authorization of the Master of Order, Fr. Bruno Cadore O.P.

Fr. Javier Gonzalez, O.P. Prior Provincial and some other Dominican brothers from our houses in Rome, Philippines and Hong Kong were present at the inauguration of the house. The Local Ordinary, Msgr. Sotero Phamo, Bishop of Loikaw Diocese, and his auxiliary, Bishop Stephen Thjephe blessed the house and welcomed the presence of Dominicans in the diocese. Besides the Dominican brothers and sisters both local and from abroad, many diocesan priests and religious Sisters attended the joyful celebration.

Mission

On December 01, 2013, Msgr. Sotero Phamo, Bishop of Loikaw, erected a new parish, the Parish of Nwalawo, and handed it over to the Dominicans in Loikaw. This parish composes six villages with approximately 2000 Catholics. The six villages are relatively close from each other. Eighty ve percent of the parishioners are farmers.

Besides taking care of the spiritual and social welfare of the parishioners, the brothers in Loikaw conduct retreats to religious sisters and pious Lay Associations outside their parish. To the parishioners, we administer the Sacraments; give retreats and recollections to various Lay Pious Associations regularly. We also organize classes of catechism for the children and summer seminars for the youth.

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ST. MARTIN DE PORRES’ HOUSE St. Martin de Porres’ Social Center Zawgyi, Mandalay

The House of St. Martin De Porres in ZawGyi was established in June 2014 by the Master of the Order, Fr. Bruno Cadore, O.P., with the permission of the Archbishop of Mandalay, Msgr. Paul Zinghtung Granwg. It is near to the City of Mandalay, within the region of Mandalay Division, the central area of Myanmar. Fr. John Bosco Lo Lo, O.P., has been appointed the first superior of the house and the vicar of the Provincial in Mandalay region. Bro. Mariano Kai, O.P., was recently assigned to the house as he is preparing for his ordination to the Diaconate and Priesthood.

Considering the urgent need for educational support in the area, the Province decided to offer supplementary courses and evening classes to the students of Grade V to Grade XI. Many of them are Buddhist students in the neighborhood. At this moment (2015), there are 113 students coming for classes and study. Many teachers are hired to help the brothers. In addition to this, the community also offers English Courses and hosts retreats in the Social Center of St. Martin de Porres for the faithful and seminarians.